NBC NHL analyst Pierre McGuire yesterday became the “first candidate to talk publicly” about the Penguins’ GM vacancy -- twice, according to Shelly Anderson of the PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE. McGuire acknowledged on TSN Radio and then in an NBC Sports teleconference he has “spoken with the Penguins" about the GM position. But McGuire said that he “does not know if he is a finalist” and he “considers himself part of a large pool of applicants.” McGuire: “It’s been a pretty fluid process throughout the last 10 days to two weeks. … I’ve talked with the Pittsburgh Penguins. But so have a lot of other people. It’s a long list. It’s an attractive job. There are a lot of people in the hockey world that would like to have that position.” Anderson notes “other known candidates” are Penguins interim GM Jason Botterill, Penguins Asistant to the GM Tom Fitzgerald, Lightning Assistant GM Julien BriseBois and Predators Assistant GM Paul Fenton (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 6/4).
TIGHT-LIPPED: In Raleigh, Chip Alexander cites an ESPN.com report, which said that Hurricanes President & former GM Jim Rutherford “could be a candidate” for the position. When asked yesterday about his interest, Rutherford said, “I’m not going to comment. I’m under contract with the Hurricanes, so that’s the extent of it.” In April, when Ron Francis succeeded him as Hurricanes GM, Rutherford “hinted something else might come along to spark his interest and keep him working in the NHL” (Raleigh NEWS & OBSERVER, 6/4).
FIXING A HOLE: In Pittsburgh, Rossi & Yohe note the Penguins are the only NHL team currently without a GM. Penguins President & CEO David Morehouse is “spearheading the search” and he “reports directly” to majority co-Owner & Chair Mario Lemieux and co-Owner Ron Burkle. COO Travis Williams also has “participated in candidate interviews.” Morehouse said that there is “no date set” by which to have a GM in place (PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 6/4).
